Thanks for such a thoughtful comment, @valued-customer. I value the sharing of your thoughts, and agree with most of them... accept this one:
I have to say that the strongest evidence that some people have cared about me, is that they endeavored to lie to me about things.
I disagree with this statement so strongly, lol I think the complete opposite is true: Those that lie to me, do NOT love me. They, themselves, may be deluded about the power of truth, but I am not. Truth IS a freeing agent, despite its unpopularity.
I actually agree regarding truth. However, some folks think differently, and I tried to convey my understanding of their thought process (which I don't share, so may imperfectly comprehend). Some people legitimately believe that lying to others about reality which would discomfit them actually is better than to tell the truth.
My particular experience of this mindset involves personal relationships, in which infidelity was involved. I vehemently disagree that it was better that I simply not know our mutual commitment wasn't really mutual at all. They felt that if I simply didn't know they were sleeping around I would be benefited, and this is why I understand that the best evidence of their affection for me was that they lied to me.
That was the only way they could maintain the relationship with me, as they seemed incapable of actual monogamy. I felt it was fraud, and eventually appreciated learning their true character, as my own commitment was being availed them, while they did not feel it was harmful to me that they weren't meeting their obligations, and felt only my knowing the truth would harm me.
They were wrong, but that's what they said they believed. Thus, in their mind, lying to me was beneficial to me. I reckon plenty of politicians seem to evidence the exact same mentality.
Now I understand what you meant, @valued-customer. I'm sorry for the hurt that must have accompanied that learning. Respect to you for sharing your experience.